Tonight Oiler fans will be lucky to watch your team from the comfort of your couch on your big screen TV, rather than your laptop, and the game should be more enjoyable.

I can’t stand watching a movie on my laptop, nevermind an NHL game, and even if I have to listen to a goalie analyst on TSN tonight I’ll still be happy.

Here’s what I saw from last night’s game, and I’ll bet some of you saw it differently.

JF Jacques has finally realized what he needs to do to be an effective NHL player: hit, move his feet, protect the puck, be physical, lay some greasy/questionable hits and shoot the puck. Jacques has been the biggest surprise of camp and he played solid again last night — 16:11 of icetime, with a goal, two shots on net, three hits and a fight. He probably won’t stay with Horcoff and Hemsky (more on that later), but right now he has moved ahead of Ethan Moreau on the LW depth chart. I think Moreau is on the 4th line and Jacques will be in the top nine.

Dustin Penner can be effective when he moves his feet. This shouldn’t be a surprise, but the big man didn’t do it last year, and he didn’t do it consistently in 2007/08 either. But he has been very solid in every game so far this preseason, regardless of who he has played with. He hasn’t looked slow alongside Cogliano or Brule, and I’m betting it’s only a matter of time before he finds himself back with Horcoff and Hemsky. But could this team be better if he plays on a different line? If Penner is going to be this effective with Cogliano, maybe it’s best to play him there and spread out the scoring. I’ve always liked a Penner/Cogliano/Pisani combination, and I think it could work well. But that can only happen if Jacques continues to play like he has so far, and that is a BIG if.

Does Hemsky look frustrated or is he hesitant? In talking to him it would seem to be more of the latter. Sure, he’d like to score more, but he is focusing on understanding exactly what Quinn wants from him. Last night, he didn’t see the ice much in the first, due to the five Flames’ powerplays, and he never seemed to get on track after that. On the PP, the Oilers looked lost, but since they haven’t practiced the powerplay yet, that isn’t a surprise. I can tell you this, that Quinn wants to see more dedication from Hemsky on the ice, and a bit more leadership off of it. He wants Hemsky to work a bit more with the young guys, and I think we’ll see that once the team is picked.

I never saw why many thought Ryan Stone was going to make this team. He can’t skate well enough to be a regular in my mind. Last night, his footspeed, or lack thereof, was obvious. He is gritty, and doesn’t shy away, but against regular NHL defencemen he wasn’t a factor. I would take Reddox over Stone, because Reddox works just as hard, and while he can’t hit guys as well, he skates better and can cause more havoc.

Kip Brennan was a nice story, but he’ll be in Springfield. He isn’t better than Stortini, and isn’t as tough as MacIntyre.

If Gagner plays with Comrie and O’Sullivan will they be effective? Comrie and Gagner are fairly gritty for their size, but neither will wow you with their speed and they won’t knock many guys off the puck. Quinn has stated many times that this team loses too many battles, so I wonder if he’d consider using them as a trio.

Smid, Grebeshkov and Visnovsky struggled mightily last night. Smid handled the puck like it was a hot potato. Grebeshkov made many bad reads, and got out muscled on Glencross’ shorthanded marker, while Visnovsky really struggled along the boards, and lost too many battles. In Visnovsky’s case I’ll give him a break because he hasn’t played much in last seven months, but Grebeshkov and Smid need to pick up their game.

Do you think that Staios might be a calming influence on Smid, and not a detriment like many fans feel?

Gilbert Brule will be here to start the season. Quinn is warming up to him more every day. Brule was very effective last night. He needs to move his feet consistently and if he continues to be close to 58% in the dot, he’ll get even more icetime.

I can’t believe that some people think Stortini is on the bubble. Wake up people he brings much of what Quinn wants. Tenacity, wins battles, makes smart decisions and is a good forechecker. I think a Moreau/Brule/Stortini line could make life tough on opposing d-men.

Pouliot and Pisani were both scheduled to play tonight, but both will sit out due to minor injuries. Pisani pulled a muscle in his back at practice on Tuesday and it tightened up on him. He is hoping to play on Sunday. Pouliot has a slight leg issue, but again it doesn’t seem that serious.

Many have wondered if Pisani is on the bubble, and I’d agree he hasn’t done much in his two games, he rarely loses one-on-one battles on the boards. Quinn knows he needs more guys like that in the lineup, and I think on that reason alone Pisani will stick.

Is tonight the last game Rob Schremp plays as an Oiler? I can’t see any scenario that doesn’t involve him being sent down. Will another team pick him up, or will Schremp have to prove himself in the minors? I sure don’t think it is a guarantee another team will pick him up.

Nilsson played okay last night, but was it enough to keep him around? My gut tells me no.

Theo Fleury, God bless you for straightening you life out, because the bottle has damaged too many good people, but you don’t have the foot speed to play in the NHL. Your hockey sense is still there, but your speed isn’t. If playing in the AHL helps with your healing process good on you, and if you just needed to see for yourself that the NHL is in your past, I respect that. A LOT. I hope you stay clean.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

C’mon… with all due respect, have some balls and call out Moreau or I will… ok… I will…
Twice Cogs got into altercations after the whistle, seemingly targeted by the flamer D, and even after he took a head shot (cross-check) moreau did nothing but skated over a draped his arm around a guy on the peripheral of the scrum.. its only the pre-season but does that mean you should be so disinterested when one of the kids on the team is getting worked over by the opposition?!?
Then there was the half speed back check on the third goal last night.. if he had moved his feet any faster he would have easily over taken the forward to potentially strip the puck… instead, half speed assuming the 1 on 2 was futile.. but the oil dont get possession and its in the back of the night… THATS HALF ASS GARBAGE that guys like nilsson get flak for, but this is thecaptainethanmoreau…
2 Mil forthliner.. IMO he ’should’ be much closer to being scratched than pisani or even storts.. ship’m out…
thoughts?!

You are damm right. Cogliano should be on another line in which he can play up to his potential.

C’mon… with all due respect, have some balls and call out Moreau or I will… ok… I will…

I didn't like Moreau's play last night either. I yelled out "do something already CAPTAIN GLASS!" at the game and my whole section was laughing. I was surprised that no one got mad or said something back to me regarding my comment. I guess our Cap'n isn't as beloved as most people think, or that is a very funny nickname.

Just heard the new Rob Schremp interview on the Oilers website. I must say I like his attitude. I'm pulling for him but it looks bleak now. Unless they truly go with 3 scoring lines than maybe he has a chance. Or he kills it in the faceoff circle because we suck on the dot.

I know we'd love the vets to always give 100% (or 110%)and I guess some of them should certainly be putting forth a better effort (Hemsky, Moreau, Horcoff) but it is pre-season and they do have 82 games that have meaning coming up very shortly. It's a long grind so maybe some slack should be given?

@ Dan the Man:
For the most part I would agree. But, when the new coach is asking for his veterans to step up and get their game where it needs to be I think it's time to put your personal thoughts out the window and do as your told.

Harlie wrote:
I also yelled out “nice play GARBAGEKOV!” and the section got a good laugh over that one to. I’m lovin these boards for all the good nicknames! haha
Are you “that guy” in every section who thinks he’s entertaining people, who gets a couple of laughs and then ramps it up until people are muttering “shaddup” under their breath? That guy?

Its kinda funny that this is the level of enjoyment the oil fans have been reduced too.. F'it tho.. not enjoying the show than you might as well throw popcorn and be an ass if it brings a smile to you face (and others)...

But its not all bad.. this team is still fun to watch, there are just certain aspects that drive those fans nuts whom pay close attention...

Are you “that guy” in every section who thinks he’s entertaining people, who gets a couple of laughs and then ramps it up until people are muttering “shaddup” under their breath? That guy?

Although I did have one good laugh many years back. Tampa Bay was here and giving us a royal a$$ kicking. I believe the score was 5-0 when a puck went over the glass beside the TB penalty box. The guy who caught the puck stood up and tossed it back on the ice.

I saw a cool youtube video of an Oilers game last year where some clown held up a sign and blocked the view of 10 people behind him for almost the whole game.
Some heroic guy grabbed it and tore it in half. That got the section cheering.
I'd cheer for that, but not so much for the armchair genious who thinks everyone needs to hear their opinion.

Are you “that guy” in every section who thinks he’s entertaining people, who gets a couple of laughs and then ramps it up until people are muttering “shaddup” under their breath? That guy?

Totally agree with that...I can't stand THAT guy, he's the same guy that still calls Stortini "Huggy Bear", the same guy that you need to stand up every 5 minutes to let him out so he can grab another beer or run to the bathroom, the same guy that needs help from the ushers to find his seats...speaking of irritants...

that the oilers and the atlanta thrashers a preparing a blockbuster of all trades
it will be one of the biggest in the last decade
here is what i know
horcoff gilbert shremp or nillson and smid or staios
for kovalchuk and one more cap player to make room
it says it could happen as early as tomorrow morning

I don't think it makes much sense for Atlanta. They would add at least $13 million in salary and dump $7.5 in Kovalchuk and this other other player who would be a defenseman.

The Thrashers might trade Kovalchuk near the deadline if they can't re-sign him, but why the hell would they do it now.

The fact I even addressed this bonehead comment is a waste of all our loyal readers time...my apologies...

Rick wrote:

Hey Gregor, your TEAM 1260 cohort is twittering that the Oilers and Nashville may be talking.

The Preds had minor, very minor interest in Nilsson before, so that might be an option. But the Oilers don't have the luxury of taking my back in return. Forget Joel Ward for Nilsson, the Preds really liked him last year. The Oilers would love a TooToo type, but I don't see Nashville parting with him.

No, the worst guy is the beer leaguer, the guy who is always saying, oh, he should have done this, or I wouldn't a done that, but he's saying it loud enough that everyone can hear, cuz he actually believes that he's that good, and that we care.....

Schremp would make $715,000 up in Edm and less than $75,000 down in Springfield.
It seems that Schremp has finally made some improvements to his game but still needs to improve more 5 on 5 and the chances of him sticking are getting slim.
I argued with Brownlee in one of his posts about him and I have to begrudingly agree with him that they have to give Schremp time to show what he can bring. I hope they play him again on Sunday but with all the players still here I do not know how they can prolong it into the season.

Gregor/Brownlee, In regards to Penner, do you think that Quinn has just taken a different approach here by having JFJ carry some time up with Horcoff and Hemsky. This keeping the pressure off of him and allow him to gain confidence and all the while being able to see how another big man can play up there. Penner has played far better in camp this year with several different players so do you forsee a reunion with these three?
Just curious!

@ Robin Brownlee:
Amen Robin. It blows my mind that Oiler fans drop $100-$200 to go and criticize their own team. What a waste. And every game someone drops the "Garbagekov" line like they're the Einstein who came up with it. Probably the same idiots who boo the US anthem. Embarrassing.

You didnt ask me, but I totally agree with this comment about penner...

"... by having JFJ carry some time up with Horcoff and Hemsky. This keeping the pressure off of him and allow him to gain confidence and all the while being able to see how another big man can play up there."

For the record I didn’t make the comment, I quoted it. I believe @EddieEdmonton was the author. I slammed it just like you.

Yep, I know that my man...NO worries, you will not be attributed to that garbage...

Tapdog wrote:

Gregor/Brownlee, In regards to Penner, do you think that Quinn has just taken a different approach here by having JFJ carry some time up with Horcoff and Hemsky. This keeping the pressure off of him and allow him to gain confidence and all the while being able to see how another big man can play up there. Penner has played far better in camp this year with several different players so do you forsee a reunion with these three?
Just curious!

Penner has looked good because he is actually moving his feet. Not having MacTavish around took ten pounds off Penner's back, but I don't think watching Jacques has inspired him, because Jacques' first game with Horcoff wasn't good at all, meanwhile Penner has been good in all of his games.

Harlie wrote:
I also yelled out “nice play GARBAGEKOV!” and the section got a good laugh over that one to. I’m lovin these boards for all the good nicknames! haha
Are you “that guy” in every section who thinks he’s entertaining people, who gets a couple of laughs and then ramps it up until people are muttering “shaddup” under their breath? That guy?

I yelled out twice using the above nicknames. I didn't push it further than that. I didn't use any curse words. I was up against the boards and I yelled the comments towards the ice and not towards the crowd. What's the big deal? I paid $250 per ticket for 4 people to attend, probably spent another $100 on drinks and snacks and some merch at the game. Is it not my right to say something at the game? Or should I just sit on my hands and be a good robot for you and the rest of the crowd? Or better yet just keep my $1000 bux in my wallet and not give it to the Oilers cuz it hurts the players and the kidlets in the crowd to hear their hero called an innocuous nickname?